Compressor HVAC: Description and Operation

Air Conditioning

The refrigerant system components include the following:

- Pulley-driven A/C compressor (non-hybrid)
- Electric A/C compressor (hybrid)
- A/C clutch assembly (non-hybrid)
- A/C condenser core
- A/C evaporator core
- Receiver/drier cartridge
- Connecting refrigerant lines
- Thermostatic Expansion Valve (TXV)

The refrigerant system incorporates an A/C compressor controlled by the PCM through an A/C clutch relay. The HVAC module sends an A/C request signal to the Instrument Cluster (IC), which relays the request to the PCM. An evaporator discharge air temperature sensor is used to disengage the A/C compressor clutch when the evaporator core temperature falls below an acceptable temperature.

The A/C compressor clutch will only be engaged by the PCM if all of the following conditions are met:

- The HVAC module is set to a mode which provides an A/C request to the PCM via the IC.
- The evaporator discharge air temperature sensor is reading an acceptable temperature.
- The A/C pressure transducer is reading an acceptable pressure in the high side of the refrigerant system.
- The A/C compressor relay is switched to the closed position by the PCM.
- The engine coolant temperature is not excessively high.
- The PCM has not detected a Wide Open Throttle (WOT) condition.

NOTE: To prevent erroneous readings that can result from underhood heat sources, the PCM uses data from several sources to calculate ambient temperature. The vehicle must be driven for a sufficient time, speed and distance after startup before the calculated ambient temperature is updated in the PCM. If a vehicle is moved from a below-freezing environment to a warm environment (such as being moved from outside into a garage or when delivered from a cold climate to a warm climate), the minimal amount of driving may not be sufficient for the calculated ambient temperature to be updated. In this event, the PCM will believe the ambient temperature is too low for A/C operation and, to prevent an increased risk of compressor slugging or damage, will not engage the A/C compressor in any mode. To manually reset the PCM calculated ambient temperature to the current temperature, run the vehicle until the thermostat opens and then clear the PCM Keep Alive Memory (KAM). For the KAM resetting procedure, refer to Computers and Control Systems Information. When the PCM KAM is reset, the ambient temperature will reset to the current higher value (a value closer to actual surrounding conditions) and the A/C compressor will operate normally.

An A/C pressure relief valve is installed in the A/C compressor to protect the refrigerant system against excessively high refrigerant pressures.

Refrigerant flow into the evaporator core is metered by a TXV.


A/C Compressor and Clutch Assembly - Non-Hybrid

NOTE: Internal A/C compressor components are not serviced separately. The A/C compressor is serviced only as an assembly. The clutch disc and hub, A/C compressor pulley and bearing and clutch field coil are serviceable.

The A/C compressor has the following characteristics:

- A non-serviceable shaft seal
- A pressure relief valve is installed in the rear of the compressor to protect the refrigerant system against excessively high refrigerant pressures
- The A/C compressor uses PAG oil or equivalent. This oil contains special additives required for the A/C compressor
- The A/C compressor oil may have some slightly dark-colored streaks while maintaining normal oil viscosity. This is normal for this A/C compressor because of break-in wear that can discolor the oil
- Use standard oil matching procedures when installing new compressors











When battery voltage is applied to the A/C compressor clutch field coil, the clutch plate and hub assembly is drawn toward the A/C clutch pulley. The magnetic force locks the clutch plate and hub assembly and the A/C clutch pulley together as one unit, causing the compressor shaft to rotate. When battery voltage is removed from the A/C compressor clutch field coil, springs in the clutch plate and hub assembly move the clutch plate away from the A/C clutch pulley.